The establishment of a Libyan national government is evidently an urgent priority, and not simply to create a united front against Daesh. On the other hand, it is equally important to have a Libyan government that is backed by a genuine consensus, and not one that is perceived as an arrangement imposed from outside the country.

Which may be why recent developments have indeed taken a very strange turn. An agreement among all parties was reached under the purview of the United Nations, or so it was said. Yet, when the agreement was brought to a vote in the “Tobruk” Parliament, a big majority there said no. Now, this assembly is recognised by the international community.

Proposals are being mooted within the EU for sanctions to be applied against a number of Libyan leaders from the “Tripoli” as well as the “Tobruk” Parliament.

I fail to understand how this would make things better, rather than worse. If I were a Libyan national, and were this to happen, I would be tempted to view any new government established on such a basis as a puppet of foreign powers. Sanctions would bring me close to sympathizing even with those who amidst the complexities and perils of the Libyan situation, continue to say no, or to show less than good faith in their dealings.

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Zika

Might we be staying too cool as news arrives about the spread of the zika virus?

True: people should not be alarmed needlessly. Still, it is also sensible to create a public awareness regarding whatever precautions would eventually  need to be taken.

According to European media, the zika virus is carried by a particular mosquito which has travelled from Africa to Brazil, apparently when the World Cup was being played. It is spreading rapidly.

The mosquito bites, the disease follows. According to reports, the European zone that is most susceptible to the viral offensive is the Mediterranean area, where a close cousin of the zika mosquito flourishes. It’s the “tiger” mosquito about which we have heard many stories in Malta.

I am one of the many who made its acquantance. It’s not an endearing beast. I just hope it does not take up zika from its cousin.  

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Giovanni Felice

Monuments are not my thing. However, in this country they’re held up as a good way by which to show appreciation for deeds done, even if then one could end up believing the contrary when one notes how monuments are designed and sited.

In any event, I recently read an appeal by a member of Giovanni Felice’s family. In the sixties of the previous century, Felice was a leading figure in the PN, a minister of tourism, then of finance in the Borg Olivier administrations. It was claimed that Felice deserves a monument in Sliema, for he has been forgotten.

Whether you agree or not with what he stood for, the truth is that Felice was an honest, moderate, civil, energetic personality and a political protagonist, from the right, in the modernisation of the Maltese economy. It is really strange that in the Sliema/St Julian’s conurbation, we now have a monument honouring an Asian leader of a cult which has a limited following here, but not for Felice, no.

By rights, the matter should be seen to and corrected.